Most new motorhomes and journey trailers come geared up with a retractable RV awning. There’s actually no higher method to deploy added safety from the solar and lightweight rain if you’re tenting. But RV awnings don’t final endlessly.
Our information to RV awnings covers the way to preserve your awning and exchange the awning cloth if it’s broken. But what when you want a completely new awning?
Find RV awning substitute and enhancement equipment at Camping World on-line.
What’s the Difference Between a Retractable Awning and a Standard Awning?
Retractable awnings completely mount to the aspect of your RV and lengthen or retract manually or mechanically, with the latter usually utilizing a 12-volt DC electrical motor. Awning sizes usually vary from 8 to 21 toes, relying on the RV.
Standard awnings (also referred to as canopies or on the spot shelters) are unbiased of your RV and have to be saved beneath between makes use of. They aren’t as straightforward to deploy, however they are often moved round in keeping with the place you want shade in your campsite.
Retractable awnings are usually extra sturdy and weather-resistant, making them the popular selection for full-time RV campers. Standard awnings complement your retractable awning if you want further shade and rain safety.
Explore Camping World’s customary awnings and on the spot shelters.
What to Consider When Choosing a Retractable RV Awning
You’ll want to search out an awning that matches your RV and may be put in securely. So let’s focus on the components to think about when selecting the most effective RV awning.
Awning Size
Replacing an Existing Awning
The best method to get the right awning dimension is to measure your present awning and purchase a substitute. Measure from the middle of the ahead arm to the middle of the rear arm (as proven above). RV awning cloth can be barely smaller than the arm-to-arm measurement, so keep away from measuring the material itself when selecting a brand new retractable RV awning.
Installing an Awning on an RV Without One
If you’re including an awning to an RV with out one, issues are just a little extra difficult. For starters, you’ll must determine the place to put it. Most RV awnings are positioned on the identical aspect because the entry door, however they need to not impede the operation of the entry door, home windows, compartment doorways, different awnings, or slide-outs on that aspect of your RV.
Your awning selection may also rely upon the scale of your RV – the biggest RV awnings are about 21 toes lengthy. But you gained’t be capable of set up an awning of that dimension on a 20-foot class B camper van.
Your objectives with location selection are to discover a place the place you may set up the biggest awning doable whereas doing so safely. A bigger awning will present extra protection space if you’re boondocking, and shade is at a premium.
Once you select a location, mark it and measure the world to get an thought of your awning dimension choices.
Awning Design
There are varied designs for awnings. Electric RV awnings are actually customary on many new RVs, however older used RVs have been usually geared up with guide awnings. As you’d suspect, there are execs and cons of those RV patio awning sorts:
Electric Awnings
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy, push-button operation | More costly |
| Wind-sensitive security options (some, not all) | More mechanical parts to keep up |
Manual Awnings
| Pros | Cons |
| More inexpensive | Harder to open |
| Fewer mechanical parts to keep up | No automated security options |
Ease of deployment is arguably the largest issue in the case of selecting the right RV awning. Electric awnings may cost a little extra, however they require little greater than holding a button for 30-60 seconds till the awning is totally deployed.
Manual awnings require rather more effort to open and shut. Learn the way to open and shut guide and electrical RV awnings.
In addition, the most effective electrical awnings now include security options that may routinely retract the awning if wind speeds exceed a pre-programmed threshold. While you need to by no means go away your awning prolonged in case your RV is unattended, a security characteristic like this will prevent from changing your awning once more earlier than you’re prepared.
That mentioned, electrical awnings can solely be put in on RVs with suitable electrical methods. The awning have to be related to an influence supply, and your RV wants controls to function it as soon as put in.
If you’re set on putting in an electrical automated RV awning on a mannequin beforehand geared up with a guide awning, we suggest scheduling a service appointment at your native Camping World Service Center.
RV Awning Materials
The very last thing to consider is the kind of materials used for the awning cloth. If your awning arms are nonetheless in fine condition, you need to exchange the awning cloth as an alternative of your entire awning meeting. Most awnings use both an acrylic cloth or some sort of vinyl materials.
Acrylic awning cloth works nice for many purposes and is the commonest. It presents good air circulation, handles all climate situations properly, and dries rapidly. However, it isn’t totally waterproof and might stretch and sag over lengthy durations of time.
Vinyl awnings are scratch and fade-resistant, waterproof, and block all dangerous UV rays and different components. However, vinyl attracts dust and mud extra simply and generally is a hotbed for mildew if not correctly cleaned and dried frequently.
Can Your RV Support a New Awning?
Your RV should even have the right framing and {hardware} to assist an awning set up. For occasion, some awnings require a minimal distance between the awning rail and the entry door or slide-out room.
The greatest method to make sure your leisure automobile can assist a brand new awning is to contact your native Camping World Service Center to debate your awning substitute choices.
Installing an RV awning with out taking the right steps to safe and seal it may end up in structural harm, water leaks, and different harm. Avoid a expensive DIY mistake by entrusting this job to an expert RV technician.
Camping World’s Design Specialists are one other nice useful resource for upgrading your RV. Find a Design Center close to you and converse to a specialist about all of your RV design wants.
Have you bought an awning in your RV not too long ago? What did you select? Leave a remark under.
Tucker Ballister is our Technical Content Writer. He’s a lover of the open street and the proud proprietor of a 2021 Sunlite Classic journey trailer (his third RV up to now). Check out extra of his RV adventures, gear critiques, and out of doors recommendation at thebackpackguide.com.